Success at State game gives coach an appetite
Darren Harris had little break between assignments at the weekend with the euphoria over Western Australia’s victory over South Australia quickly giving way to the responsibility of steering the Carine Cougars yesterday.
Harris had thought that his junior duties and the one-off State match would provide enough sustenance to sate his coaching ambitions.
But the taste of success has given the West Perth premiership coach an appetite to return to the box.
Whether that is at league level or with another special assignment with a representative team remains to be seen.
The Black Swans are likely to take on Tasmania in Hobart or Launceston next year.
WA have not played Tasmania since 1999 and next season will be the 50th anniversary of their last victory in that State.
Harris did not rule out coaching WA again but said if the position was available, he and his assistants would be significantly better prepared than this season.
“Knowing what is involved and the time commitment you would be a lot more organised,” Harris said.
“It was a late call up.
“We felt we were always learning and though we have all been around a while, we were learning the whole way.
“If any of the blokes involved today were involved next year we would be much better at it.”
Harris was appointed in March after Subiaco’s premiership coach Jarrad Schofield, who had first refusal, withdrew due to work commitments.
The late notice meant the coaches of last year’s other finalists were also unavailable.
SA football legend Graham Cornes also took charge of the Croweaters when no SANFL coach took on the job.
Harris considered himself a convener of his assistant coaches and said the experience of four-time premiership mentors Tony Micale (backs) and John Dimmer (forwards) as well as the nous and outstanding potential of West Coast assistant Adam Selwood meant he had only to direct traffic in the box.
“You don’t really have to coach when you have those blokes around you,” Harris said.
“I just asked a few questions.
“The four coaches coming together really enjoyed each others’ company.
“We loved the opportunity to be involved and it was great to reconnect.”
The chance to have a rare coaching break, or use the weekend for interstate recruiting trips, may limit the number of league coaches eager to take on the State role.
But Harris underlined one of the most significant reasons for taking on the task when he said State pride was one of his main driving forces on Saturday.
“I hadn’t talked about it but I said to my kids in the morning that ‘I’m coaching WA today’,” he said.
